New Games This Week 2/25/10

Revolution - Steve Jackson Games - $39.95

In Revolution! players take advantage of the fluid political situation by secretly bidding for a number of characters, each yielding a combination of territory control, points (popular support) and more currency with which to bid next round. Players win by gaining the support of the people (the most points). Players can gain bonus points by controlling an area of the city at the end of the game. This game is for 3-4 players and takes 60 minutes to play.

Chez Cthulhu - Steve Jackson Games - $19.99

Chez Cthulhu brings the horror of Lovecraft's Mythos right into your apartment . . . as if the leftovers from the Pizza with Absolutely Everything weren't bad enough. Work your job – will you be a Morgue Janitor, a Sanitarium Attendant, or a Gravedigger? Buy things to give you Slack. A Straitjacket may be a good choice, but Friendly Tentacles can also be helpful. Oh, and Nookie, don't forget the Nookie. But avoid the Ectoplasmic Slime.

Chez Cthulhu combines the classic Chez Geek system with everyone's favorite Elder God and stirs in a new Madness mechanic, in a new stand-alone game designed by Steve Jackson and illustrated by John Kovalic.

Wars of the Roses - Z-Man Games - $70.00

Two Lancastrians and two Yorkists draft cards that give them control of major towns, nobles, bishops and royal castles. Income generated by these enables them to raise armies and to bribe nobles, bishops and ship captains to change allegiance. Players then use secret planning and simultaneous deployment to gain control of the six areas in England and Wales and, hopefully, enough votes in parliament to crown their royal heir as king.

From the back of the box:
Journey back to England, 1450, just prior to the outbreak of the bitter civil war between the Royal Houses of Lancaster and York. Henry VI, a Lancastrian, was proving to be a weak ruler, so the wealthy and ambitious Richard, Duke of York, looked to put things right. The powerful noble families had to choose sides and over the next 40 years, kings, royal heirs, and great nobles were to die, in what was to become known as the Wars of the Roses. Players take on the role of Lancastrians and Yorkists, who must gather support from the major towns and powerful noble families and attempt to control the royal castles throughout the country. Ports, the shipping trade, and financial aid from the Church and France are also needed. As their faction grows in strength, players vie for the King’s favor and look to earn the prestigious titles of Captain of Calais, Archbishop of Canterbury, Warden of the Cinque Ports, Lord High Admiral and Constable of the Tower of London. Money means power, because loyalty can be bought, so players should be prepared for the inevitable treachery as nobles change allegiance at crucial times, affecting the balance of power. When Parliament is called, each region in England will support one or other of the two Royal Houses and the crown will go to the one with the greater power base. Nobles loyal to this House will be rewarded by a grateful King. Eventually, only one Royal House will boast the King, but the player who has gathered the most money and prestige will win, regardless of his allegiance.

Battle Lore: Creatures - Fantasy Flight Games - $34.95

The long awaited creature expansion will be available at the end of 2009. This expansion includes sculpts of the previously limited Earth Elemental (now billed as a Rock Elemental with new rules) and the Hill Giant (now a Forest Giant). Players can use the new rules for these creatures or use the old rules and complete their collection.

In addiiton, BattleLore: Creatures comes with a brand new sculpt: The Hydra!